Playing key for accordions and the like



Aug. 21, 1951 KOSTKA 2,565,239

PLAYING KEY FOR ACCORDIONS AND THE LIKE Filed Nov. 22, 1947 JNVENTOR,

A TTORNFY,

Patented Aug. 21, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE PLAYING KEY FOR ACCORDIONS a AND THE LIKE Claims.

This invention relates generally to improvements in accordions and other key-operated musical instruments, but more particularly to certain new and useful improvements in the playing keys thereof.

One of its objects is to so mount the playing keys that they may be individually and readily adjusted to a harder or a softer touch to suit the will of the player, as well as be individually and easily removed when desired for repair or replacement.

Another object of the invention is to provide a simple, inexpensive and readily adjustable spring unit for playing keys whereby its tension can be increased or decreased to'render the touch hard or soft, and which spring unit is so constructed as to be readily installed and at the same time so correlated with the key as to removably'retain the latter in its pivoting position.

Other features of the invention reside in the construction and arrangement of parts hereinafter described and particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings- Figure 1 is a fragmentary transverse sectional view of an accordion showing my improved playing key mounting associated with one of the longer or white keys. Figure 2 is a similar view showing the same in connection with one of the black keys. Figure 3 is a fragmentary longitudinal section taken on line 33, Figure 1. Figure 4 is a section, similar to Figure 2, showing the spring adjusted to a greater or harder tension than that depicted in such figure. Figure 5 is a fragmentary plan view of the keyboard showing the spring units therein but with the playing keys removed. Figure 6 is a fragmentary section, similar to Figure 2, showing a modified form of spring mounting Figure 7 is a fragmentary plan view of the key-board with the keys removed and showing this modification,

Similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

By way of example, the invention is shown in connection with an accordion, wherein ID indicates the keyboard having a row of key-seats I I defined by the transverse strips or walls I2 to receive the white keys [3 and the black keys I4. These several keys are pivoted adjacent their rear ends on a common wire or rod l5 extending lengthwise of the keyboard and passing through the walls I2, as shown in Figures 3 and 5, and each key is individually and removably mounted on such rod through the medium of a downwardly-Opening L-shaped slot l6. When it is desired to remove a key, it is projected forwardly and then upwardly and its replacement is effected in a reverse manner. Each key is connected by an arm IT with the customary reed control valve I8 and buffer pads l9 limit the down stroke of the keys.

Operatively connected to each key l3, I4 is a resilient element preferably in the form of a generally flat spring 20 which serves the dual function of restoring the key to its initial position after being depressed and of retaining the key in proper hooked or latched engagement with the pivot rod I5, the spring acting to normally urge the key upwardly as well as rearwardly to bring the closed horizontal portion of the key-slot I6 against the pivot rod, as shown in Figures 1 and 2. Each spring is located in the lower portion of the companion key-seat I l between the keyboard I!) and the key IE! or I I, and includes an adjustable, flexing, attaching portion 2| adapted to be adjustably secured to the keyboard and an upwardly curved contact arm 22 extending into a downwardly-opening notch or recess 23 formed in the bottom face of the key forwardly of the pivot rod I5. In the normal position of the key shown in Figure l, the bent free end 24 of the spring registers with the rear corner portion of the recess 23 to thereby exert its tension both upwardly and rearwardly.

The attaching portion 2| of each spring is supported at spaced points on wires or rods 25, 25 extending in parallel relation lengthwise of the keyboard I0 and passing through the key-seat defining walls l2 at an elevation slightly above the bottom of such seats I I. That portion of the spring 2|] which spans or bridges these supporting rods is free to flex and is fastened centrally thereof by an adjusting screw or bolt 26 to the keyboard in the manner shown, for example, in Figures 1 and 3. By turning this adjusting bolt in one direction or the other from the bottom of the keyboard and without removing the key companion thereto, the attaching portion of the spring is relaxed or strained and the contact arm 22 of the spring is accordingly depressed, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, to ease the tension on the spring and make for a softer key action, or accordingly sprung upwardly and forwardly, as shown in Figure 4, to increase the tension on the spring and make for a harder key action. In any position of adjustment, each spring also urges its key in proper pivotal latching engagement with the pivot rod I5.

In the modification shown in Figures 5 and 6, instead of supporting the attaching portion of each spring 20 on common wires, it may be supported on spaced cleats 21 glued or otherwise se- Tcured on the bottom of the corresponding key-seat l I and a screw 28 employed for adjusting the same from the top of the keyboard upon removing the companion key from such seat to expose the screw for ready adjustment.

having a notch in its underside forwardly of its.

pivot, and a key-tensioning means interposed between the keyboard and the bottom of the key and including a fiat spring having a flexing attaching portion at one end adapted to be supported at spaced points and having a contact arm at its other end extendin upwardly toward and for engagement with said key-notch, and an adjustable fastening member for said spring engaging the same between its spaced points of support.

2. In a keyboard of the character described, a key mounted thereon for pivotal movement, a spring interposed between the keyboard and the bottom of the key including an adjustable, flexing, attaching portion and a contact arm extending therefrom for engagement with the underside of the key, means mounted on the keyboard and providing spaced points of support for the attaching portion of said spring, and an adjustable fastening member for said spring engaging the same between its spaced points of support.

3. In a keyboard of the character described, a key mounted thereon for pivotal movement, a spring interposed between the keyboard and the bottom of the key including an adjustable, flexing, attaching portion and a contact arm extendjustably connected to said spring attaching portion between its spaced points of support for regulating the tension of the spring contact arm.

4. In a keyboard of the character described, a key pivot, 21. key having a notch therein for detachable latching engagement with said pivot, and a substantially flat spring interposed between the keyboard and the key and screw attached at one end between spaced points of support to the keyboard to adjust the tension thereof and having its opposite free end abutting the underside of the key for normally urging it upwardly as well as rearwardly with its notch in latching engagement with said pivot.

5. In a keyboard of the character described, a key pivot, a key having a notch therein for detachable latching engagement with said pivot and ing therefrom for engagement with the underside of the key, means mounted on the keyboard and providing spaced points of support for the attaching portion of the spring, and a screw means ada second'downwardly-facing notch therein forwardly of the pivot-notch, and a substantially flat spring interposed between the keyboard and the key and screw attached at one end between spaced points of support to the keyboard to adjust the tension thereof and having its opposite free end in registering abutting engagement with said second notch for normally urging the key upwardly as well as rearwardly with its notch in latching engagement with said pivot.

FRANK KOSTKA.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the fil of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,228,141 Magnante Jan. '7, 1941 2,246,371 Lindeberg June 17, 1941 FOREIGN PATENTS 40 Number Country Date 97,154 Germany May '11, 1898 308,131 Italy May 26, 1933 467,783 Great Britain June 23, 1937 351,954 Italy Aug. 27, 1937 651,228 Germany Feb. 26, 1938 Germany Dec. 30, 1939 

